Ancient Spindle Whorls: The Precursor to Rotational Technology

A new study published in *PLOS ONE* by Talia Yashuv and Leore Grosman explores a collection of perforated stones from the Nahal-Ein Gev II archaeological site in northern Israel. These stones, dating back approximately 12,000 years, are believed to be spindle whorls, early rotational tools critical to the development of technologies such as the wheel. Detached from the context of Bronze Age carts, these spindle whorls are weighted, donut-shaped objects used to enhance the rotational speed and efficiency of spindles, aiding in the transformation of fibers like wool or flax into yarn. The study utilizes cutting-edge digital 3D modeling techniques to examine the stones' structure, deducing their purpose and historical significance. Replicas of the stones were used to successfully spin flax, further supporting their hypothesized function as spindle whorls. This finding suggests that these ancient tools may represent some of the earliest uses of rotational technology, preceding the advent of the potter's wheel and cart wheel. The authors highlight the dual importance of studying such artifacts – uncovering past human innovation while connecting it to modern technological advancements.